An Interview with the Champion: Fernando Alonso
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An interview with the champion: Fernando Alonso An interview with the 2005 World Champion, the youngest ever, Fernando Alonso. Fernando, think back to the last lap in Brazil. You are on the verge of becoming World Champion. What’s going through your mind? I was thinking about the tyres! They were on the limit, and the priority was to get through that lap. I remember asking my engineer Rod how far behind Michael Schumacher was. I didn’t want to lose third place in the final few metres. But I had a 12 second gap, so it was quite easy to manage. Of course, I started hearing funny noises. I was praying it wouldn’t rain. And then, finally, I saw the last corner… The first thing you did on the radio was to thank the team. Was that important to you? For sure, it was fundamental. In Formula 1, nothing happens by chance, and if I managed to achieve my dream this year, it is because several hundred people have worked relentlessly behind the scenes. Everybody, from the technical directors to the people in the machine shop, has given that little bit extra that made the difference. So I told them over the radio: we are all champions. I meant it. Then you said another thank you in China… Yes. I didn’t think anything could match Brazil. I was wrong… Describe the podium in Sao Paulo. What were your feelings when you saw the team and the board saying ‘World Champion’…? When I got out of the car, in parc fermé, I saw the whole team and the pit-board up above, saying ‘Fernando, World Champion.’ It was fantastic. All the pressure disappeared immediately, and I just let out all my feelings. I can’t really remember walking up to the podium. The image I can see is a sea of blue below me, and loads of smiles. Some of the Minardi mechanics I worked with in 2001 were there as well. I had tears in my eyes. When you went back to hotel, you saw the pictures of the crowds in Oviedo. What did you feel? I called me Dad over to see them. I couldn’t believe my eyes. All the places I know by heart had been invaded by supporters. There were thousands of them, even in Madrid! They were fantastic all year, and I owe them a lot: when you are driving, and you know they are supporting you, it makes you even quicker. I am proud to have won a world title for them. What is your best memory from the season? There are so many… I think Brazil will always be the day of my life. China was a special moment too. And the French Grand Prix, Renault’s home race, winning in front of thousands of fans… they are unforgettable memories. What was your best overtaking manoeuvre this year? Without a doubt, the pass on Michael Schumacher in 130R at Suzuka. I took a big risk there. Maybe too much, thinking about it…! What did you think when you hit the wall in Montreal? I was attacking a lot. I got the line wrong, hit the kerb… and then the wall. But I don’t dwell on my mistakes, I look forwards not backwards. I said at the time that it was my first error of the season, and I didn’t make any more afterwards. So I am happy overall. How have you changed this year? I don’t think I have! When I got to Japan, two weeks after the race in Brazil, I got asked the question a hundred times by journalists: what’s changed? I don’t think I gave them the answer they wanted! I am still the same guy. I have 19 races’ more experience, and I know how to manage a championship season. But I am not a different person. Do you still love competing? I always have done, ever since I was little. It doesn’t matter if it’s football, tennis or a Grand Prix, I always do the maximum to win. Sometimes, that’s not possible, so I give myself a more realistic goal and try to make sure I achieve it. The team always talks about your maturity. Are you as serious away from the paddock, or do you know how to have a good time as well? If I am at the track, it is to work. I need to be professional, I am paid to make no mistakes: I am representing Renault and the work of 800 people. I am always concentrating when I am in the paddock, even out of the car. I don’t always notice all the people around me. When I go home, it’s different. I see my friends, we have a laugh and enjoy ourselves. I don’t need any encouragement to have fun… Are you a better driver now? Yes. But I’ll be even better at the next test: I am always learning, as soon as I get in the car. Tyres, chassis, engine, there’s always something to learn and analyse. You said when you arrived at Renault that you needed to be more sympathetic to the car. Did you manage it? I think so. I am still quite aggressive, but I know how to look after it too. I don’t try and make up for the weaknesses, like I had to in 2004. Last year, I had to dominate the car and make it go where I wanted. This year, I could work in harmony with the car, it was more of a two-way thing. Look at Imola: we had to look after the engine, the tyres, work with the team to plan our weekend. And we won. The rules meant you had to manage the tyres carefully. Was it difficult? Not really. All the teams had to understand how to manage the tyres over a race distance, but in terms of driving style, the regulations didn’t change anything. Michelin did a fantastic job this year. You had to rein in your aggression to manage your championship lead. Did you find it difficult to restrain yourself? Honestly? Yes. But I had to think about the overall result. I could have taken risks to get every race win, but I needed to be sensible and think about the title. We made a good start to the year, and then controlled our performance. What did that mean in concrete terms? We managed situations differently. Look at the first corner in Silverstone, or when Montoya overtook me in Brazil. I lifted off because I was thinking about the championship. That wasn’t the case in Suzuka: I was flat out from start to finish. How did your friends react after you won the title? They were happy. I got 300 phone calls in 2 hours in Brazil. They wanted to say well done, they were proud of me. Did you read the press after Brazil? How did you react? Yes, on Monday evening at the airport. It was funny to see the journalists’ reactions, to read the articles. That was when I began to believe it had happened, that it wasn’t all a dream! What tribute meant the most to you? The Principe de Asturias award. The nomination said I was an example for young people around the world, that I had demonstrated determination and modesty. That was fantastic. The King of Spain also said my win in Brazil was a great day for the country. It means a lot to me. Have you had time to enjoy your performance, or did you start think about 2006 and defending the title? I spend some time thinking about things at the end of the year. I had a break, recharged my batteries after a long year, and celebrated the title with my friends. But 2006 is coming up fast. Things begin in November, and the car will be ready in January. I have already seen it in the wind tunnel, where they had painted a number 1 on the nose! What will be your approach for 2006? I am taking nothing for granted. We all start on a level playing field. I hope we can make a perfect preparation, and maybe do it again. There is only one secret: working very, very hard. Finally, when you arrived in F1, you said your job seemed completely normal to you. Have you changed your mind? In some ways, no. I still work hard at my job, and my aim is to produce the best performance. Some of my friends are travel agents, or they are window cleaners. Me, I drive a car. I am very lucky, but it is still just my job. But the thing that amazes me and that makes it so special, is the fact I can motivate a whole team. The passion of the fans is unique too. I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world! Giancarlo Fisichella: “The Best Season Of My Career” The Renault F1 Team’s Italian star looks back over his 2005 season, and talks about the highs and the lows. Giancarlo, how would you describe your 2005 season? There were really two aspects to the season. On one side, I competed in this championship with a top team, I gave myself objectives that would have been impossible in other years, and I am part of a world championship winning team. But on the other hand, I didn’t have an easy season, and I am a little bit disappointed by the final result.